Office of the Mayor
Last week I had a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with Philadelphia’s 99th Mayor. Here’s what we discussed.
What’s your vision for Philadelphia?
Our crime is at a 40-year-low, which isn’t perfect, but we’re improving. Our population is increasing because of immigrants and millennials. Our universities are thriving. We have a progressive agenda for education and infrastructure. The President won the election by using prejudice, and he continues to pick on people. If he would just leave us alone, we would be fine.
We pay federal and state taxes. He’s threatening to cut off funding for our law enforcement, children, and education, as though he has a right to tell people how to live. The rollback of women’s reproductive rights and ACA is a malicious dismantling of President Obama’s existence.
The travel ban, for instance. They had visas, didn’t sneak into the country, and were not allowed to see a lawyer or their Mayor, Senator, Congressman or Governor. That’s a fascist approach to American life.
The only time I’ve ever felt like this was when I was 10 years old in 1968. It was Nixon, George Wallace, Vietnam War, civil rights fights, young versus old, old versus young, a very unsettling time. Some of the hate that was spewing then is spewing now.
TV news was 30 minutes a night. Now it’s Fox and all the other 24/7 TV. Even without doing accurate research, they put it out there and once it’s out there, it becomes the gospel truth. Trump maniacally understands that people are shallow enough to believe his alternative facts.
The other thing that’s frightening is Steve Bannon and the fourth turning, this philosophy that every 80 years there’s an apocalyptic upheaval. This is crazy, especially when more countries have nuclear weapons than they did 80 or 160 years ago. The American Revolution, the Civil War, WWII, and now whatever’s coming. And that man is second to the President. What are they talking about when they’re in there by themselves?
...this philosophy that every 80 years there’s an apocalyptic upheaval.
You spoke at the Women’s March on Philly and said that when you want something done, you hire women.
60% of our appointments are women. The war on women that these men are waging is an attempt to turn the clock back to the 1940s.
What can Philly do?
Resist. Continue to protect our people, promote progressive policies, educate our kids, and fight against the ban, deportations, and the wanton use of power.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Jamaica. He laughs. Just kidding. Well, not really. I don’t know what my next step is. If I’m successful and blessed with a second term, I’ll be 65. That’s young, but that’s not “start running for President” young.
I might be doing something in sports. When women play sports, they become more empowered. They’re disciplined and don’t let men run over them. The women athletes whom I’ve had a chance to help, mainly through high school basketball, are in major universities around the country as Division I scholar-athletes.
Joe Biden’s joining Penn.
Biden is a wonderful public servant. In retrospect, I wish he had been the Democratic nominee. He could’ve cleaned his clock. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. He might be around for next time, you never know.
I never look ahead to my next job and try to do the one that I have as well as I can. There’s a plan for you, ordained somewhere in the heavens. You’ll find what that plan is and you’ll pursue it. To always be thinking about your next job and election isn’t productive.
This smile makes me smile.
What can millennials do to help you do your job?
Mentor young people through Big Brothers, Big Sisters, colleges and universities, or recreational centers. True happiness is achieved by serving others.
Fifty years ago, could you imagine that you would be sitting here today?
When I was 8? No, I never thought about that. Becoming Mayor was never a burning desire. So I have to be thankful, take advantage of this opportunity, and see what life brings.
I love how approachable you are.
I’m a South Philly guy, grew up on 2nd Street, an Irish Catholic blue-collar neighborhood. No one ever let you get too big for your britches. Maya Angelou said “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Even late at night when I’m tired and don’t want to take that last selfie, I do it and smile, and the person goes away feeling good.
Even late at night when I’m tired and I don’t want to take that last selfie, I do it and smile, and the person goes away feeling good.
What are the biggest challenges you’re facing right now?
Trump administration. Harrisburg legislators who want to be mini-Trumps. We don’t have the capacity to fight back right now because we don’t have enough Democrats in Washington or Harrisburg. The courts will be our refuge for a while.
Do you see yourself partnering up with Attorney General Josh Shapiro?
Yes, I’ve already spoken with Josh several times. Retailers who gouge their consumers through the beverage tax by charging them more than the tax and pocketing the rest. The blowback is on us, though it’s not our fault and the retailers are stealing money and selling a questionable product. Liquid sugar causes diabetes and heart disease. They’re marketing in poor neighborhoods more than in others. They’re ripping off poor people by charging more than what the tax should be and pocketing the proceeds.
They’re ripping off poor people by charging more than what the tax should be and pocketing the proceeds.
What is the accomplishment of which you are most proud?
My kids. I’m not with their mother anymore but I think the two of us did a great job. They’re good people and treat people well. People like them. They’re successful at what they’re doing and, most importantly, happy.